"We need a signature here to start digging out what is supposed to become the pool," a constructor told me. I signed the paper on my way out. There was only so much I could do on a construction site. I was serious about making a change and vowed not to work more than eight hours a day. Some days it was hard to stay under those eight hours, on other days I just cut the day short. Today was such a day. This afternoon I'd be by the beach, laying down, reading a book, and sipping on a cocktail. It was time to relax.

When I arrived at the beach, it wasn't too busy but not entirely quiet either. It was exactly the way I liked it. There was enough space to feel the privacy and the rest as it was busy enough not to sit there in complete and utter silence. I thought it to be the perfect setting to get out of my head. Placing my towel over the sunbed, I looked up to the sky. It was clear and the sun was blazing. It's a good thing I bought a new flask of sunscreen as I haven't seen much sun in the city yet. My skin needed the extra layer of protection not to burn to death.

I sat down on my sunbed and started applying sunscreen systematically, starting with my legs and working my way up to my face. As I've been doing this daily now, I've become quite skilled when it came to applying sunscreen on my back by myself. It was a skill I needed to master when traveling alone and it served me well. But there was always just that spot even I couldn't reach.

"You need some help with that?" a deep voice sounded from behind me.

I remembered that voice. A chill went down my spine and I sat there, frozen in my seat.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, not turning around. The snappy tone couldn't have gone unnoticed.

It remained quiet behind me. But my senses were stronger than ever. I smelt him and it was as if I could hear his footsteps in the sand, coming closer and closer. I embraced myself for what would come next. His hand grabbed my shoulder, rather roughly.

"I have my connections, Darling," His voice sounded cold. "Did you think I'd give up that easily?" I felt another chill going down my spine. I felt the urge to run. But I knew it would have been of no use.

"What do you want, Hugh? What are you even doing here?" All my senses were on high alert, but I wouldn't show him, no way. "I believe it's quite clear that there's nothing to gain here for you."

He moved around and stood there, towering over me, oozing his power. "That's where you're wrong, Darling. I know there's plenty to gain here for me." His voices sounded patronizing. He was the man, I was the woman. He thought of himself as strong and in power and, in his mind, I sat there, weak and submissive.

Refusing to let him play his game with me, I stood up and pushed him back a bit, to create some space and looking him square in the eye. I wouldn't go down that easily. "You had a deal with my father, but he isn't one to make deals about my life. So, be a man, take your loss, and walk away."

"Oh, but where's the fun in that. Besides, I'm used to getting what I want. And I want this merger. And getting you as my wife is just an added bonus." Again, he took a step closer. "You'd look good on my arm." His hand touched my elbow, slowly stroking its way up to my shoulder, then my neck, and finally my cheeks.

My cheeks radiated with heat, my eye twitched. I was fuming. How dare he? Without thinking about it for another second, my flat hand collided with his cheek. Hard. "You chauvinistic pig. Don't you ever, not even for a fraction of a second, think that I would ever marry you. I'm not a trophy wife or whatever you and my father may think. I'm too good for you, and you damn well know it."

He stepped closer, holding my gaze. His eyes looked dark, angry. He took me by surprise when he grabbed onto my arm rather hard. "I like them feisty, but you're a smart girl. You know I'm stronger than you."

"Let go of me," I spat at him.

"What would be the fun in that?" His voice sounded menacing. For bystanders, we'd look like a lion and its prey. It was now that I'd realized that I would've liked the beach to be more crowded. It was surviving: 101. Safety is in the numbers. No one was ever raped on a crowded beach. I opted to scream but figured it'd do me no good.

"I'm not saying this again, Hugh. Let go of me and leave me alone."

"Or else?"

I wanted to reply. But before I could say anything, I heard another voice coming from behind me.

"I believe the lady said to let her go."

A voice that I knew all too well. A voice that I've wanted, to hear for a long time now. But, how could it be possible? How did he know where to find me? I looked over my shoulder. He stood there, tense, with eyes blazing, looking at Hugh's hand holding on to my upper arm.

I felt Hugh's hold loosen up a bit. He must have been thrown off by Julian's voice. It was enough for me to pull back with force and grow the distance between us. I made my way over to Julian. The closer I came to him, the safer I felt. He closed the distance between us all that much faster by coming my way as well.

Once I was close enough, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close to his body. I felt my shoulders loosen. It felt good. "Are you okay?" he asked me. I answered him by giving him a slow nod. So many feelings were inside me right now, fighting to get out, but I couldn't let them go. Not yet. I stepped away from Julian, focusing my attention on the man I'd still have a bone to pick with.

Hugh turned to look at us, his eyes full of disgust. He wanted to say something, but I cut him off.

"Don't even bother. You know how our circle goes. Reputation is everything. Don't make me go the lengths to destroy yours. Your company is a sinking ship already, that's why you want a merger with ours. We have the better locations. But imagine what a broken reputation would do to that sinking ship. Your staff would throw you overboard to save themselves and I can't blame them." For the first time in a long while, I felt confident, powerful. No longer would a man, or woman for that matter, tell me what to do, how to feel, or how to react.

This empowerment suited me well. And I wasn't ready, yet.

"So, here's what you're going to do. You're getting your ass out of here, hop on a plane and better make sure our paths won't cross, ever again. And let me just tell you, this is, by no means, an empty threat. You see, the difference between us is, I don't care about the high society or my reputation with them. You can't hurt me here. Have I made myself clear?"

Hugh looked at me one more time, his eyes still dark, still angry. But I couldn't care less. I knew I had where I wanted him, which was out of my life. And he knew it as well. With a broken and bruised ego, I could only imagine how much the losing face hurt him, he stomped off, the same way he came from.

Only when I was sure he was gone, I turned back to Julian.

I couldn't believe that he really was here. Why was he here? How did he know where I was? Those questions came to mind first. Unfortunately, they were soon followed by a feeling of anger and disappointment. Why did he even leave in the first place?

Still on a high from calling out Hugh, I was about ready to do the same with Julian. But as expected, he beat me to it.

"I came by the office. Allison told me you weren't there. I remembered her being kind and open, but it took me a lot of work for her to tell me your location." He started. Part of me wanted to listen to what he had to say. But, an even bigger part of me, wanted to yell at him for the hurt he's caused me.

And it was about time that I'd choose which part I'd allow handling this confrontation.

Both parts of me debated with each other, and I wasn't sure which part was going to win this battle. So, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and took control of the situation. I vowed to myself to speak my mind wherever, whenever. That much I've learned from all this mess.

Stepping away from Julian, I enlarged the distance between us. I needed that space to clear my head, to be able to say what's on my heart and not get distracted, or worse, pulled to him because my body craved his touch.

"What are you doing here, Julian?" The tone of my voice sounded hollow, empty.

"I needed to talk to you. As I said, I came by the office earlier, but you weren't there. I never doubted coming here, but getting a flight seemed easier than it was." He took a step closer to close the distance between us, but I immediately stepped back. This hasn't gone unnoticed by Julian either. "I see." His expression looked hurt. And I felt guilty because of it. No, Lucy, don't go there.

"You see? What is it that you see exactly?" I narrowed my eyes at him, balling my fists. He'd got some nerve showing up here and acting like this as if he was hurt by me.

"I can see that I've hurt you, and you have no idea how sorry I am."

"Well, there you're finally right about something. Two things actually. How can I have an idea of how sorry you are or are not. You shut me out." Again, he tried to close the distance between us, but I held up my hand to stop him. I needed this space. "I'm hurt, yes. What did you expect?"

"I'm so sorry, Lucy. I was an idiot. I never should've let you go."

"You didn't let me go. Don't make it sound as if it was my choice. You told me you loved me, but that that wasn't enough. You walked out on me." By now, my voice came out a lot harsher than I intended, but I wouldn't back down now.

"I know, and words can't express how sorry I am. –"

"Yes, you're sorry. I believe I've heard that already. And guess what, it doesn't make it hurt any less." I turned away from him and gathered my stuff. Leave it up to the male specimen to ruin what should have been a peaceful and relaxing day on the beach.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm leaving this place."